The Trusty Cardigan: Style & Winter Hug in One

Like it or not, the humble cardigan has steadily infiltrated the men’s fashion scene over recent winter seasons. So much so that while holiday shopping for husband and brother, each of whom are adverse to the reemergence of this cozy winter warmer, it soon became clear that traditional non-buttoned pull overs are diminishing. But why the aversion by so many men in their 30’s and over? When quizzed, it became clear that many find these woolly wonders too feminine for their masculine personas. Conversely, when I asked some young college students, their view of the cardigan was a lot more positive and many were the proud owners of a variety of button down styles. Why such a divide?

It’s true to say that the modern man’s cardi is a craze that was first born by the skinny jean silhouette. This skinny look has turned off the more broadly built and mature man, while being lapped up by the younger generation. But, contrary to current popular belief, there is no need to have a super slender silhouette to rock a cardigan, quite the opposite. If a cardigan is worn properly, it can accentuate a man’s masculine broad frame, hide an abundance of holiday related calorific sins and bring the ladies a knocking for a cozy cuddle under the mistletoe. Yes, cardigan’s were a staple of Mr. Brown, your elderly math teacher, but it was also a fond favorite of legend of our time, Kurt Cobain and, more recently, Jay Z, Justin Timberlake and even Daniel Craig. Not convinced? Here’s a few tips to encourage you to give your new Christmas cardi its first outing:

Be Suave
Believe me; it is possible to look suave in a cardigan! Try wearing a cardigan instead of a suit jacket with a formal button down shirt and slacks. Top it off with a skinny tie for a sexy, on trend look. Bring out your quirky side with some more daring accessories such as a colorful bow tie, black framed glasses or a fedora hat.

Dressed down cool
No longer is there a need for skinny jeans to pull off a cardigan in dressed down style. Opt for chunky cozy knits and pair with slim, well fitted jeans and a plain t-shirt. Sporting a cardigan with baggy jeans will mean losing the smooth silhouette you are trying to achieve.

Stand out
The key to standing out when wearing a cardigan is down to the fastening of buttons, the shirt you’re wearing and simple confidence. Fastening all the buttons can make you feel and appear uptight, leave the last few buttons open for a relaxed look. Next, make sure the shirt you wear underneath your cardigan isn’t too bulky. This will ensure that the best of your physique is shown off, without exposing any Holiday over indulgence around the belly area! Lastly, you may feel out of your comfort zone, but be confident about wearing your cardigan. If you follow these tips you can’t go far wrong and will look stylish, sexy and event ready.

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